When Tophie Met Mally (Patreon)

Got a couple requests to see how Topher and Mal first met. This one was tricky, since they’ve had multiple key “first meetings”  throughout their lives- as kids, as young adults, and then again in their 30s. I illustrated the first two, hope to get around to the last one later.

1.) Their very first meeting, only Topher remembers this one. Topher is very uncomfortable, but Merry never misses an opportunity to schmooze!

2.) Bonus: Meet Topher and Toffee’s mom, Eleanor. Motivated partly by hatred of her ex-husband Merry, but mostly love for her children, Eleanor began the tricky process of dismantling her small town bigotry and became an aggressive queer ally and embarrassingly supportive loud proud mama bear. Her sons love her immensely.

3-5.) Besides being the youngest player ever to become first chair cellist for Zoo York Philharmonic Orchestra, Mal once opted to teach zooniversity music courses while she pursued her doctorate, because Mal’s parents wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less. As we can see, Mal used to be a loooot more high-strung than her present day self. This was definitely not aided by her annoying ass teaching assistant, one mulleted classical violinist/aspiring rock star, Topher Meadowsweet. Topher has never had an ounce of game, not ever once in his life, but fortunately, Mal has pretty low standards.

Present day Mal: You know, Toph, when we first met, I thought you were a smug twunk bitch.

Topher: Huh. *expectant look* And….?

Mal: Oh nothing I still think that